After earning her civil engineering degree from Mississippi State University, she embraced the unique opportunity to contribute to sustainable energy production at River Bend, a facility closest to the community she loves.��

“I have been fortunate enough to participate in numerous plant walk-downs, including a walkdown of the upper fuel pool and reactor itself. I am grateful for my experienced coworkers, especially the civil engineers, for generously involving me in their projects,” Noble said. “I have enjoyed performing the calculations and behind-the-scenes actions and then witnessing the execution of the work in the field.”����

Haley credits her mother-in-law, Shanna Noble, who is also a civil engineer, as a significant mentor.����

“She has taught me that in this field, the most important measure of success is not about how well you complete your own challenging work,��but the impact you can have on those around you. She often emphasizes that people never forget how you make them feel when you contribute to their success,” Noble said. “The philosophy of putting others first resonates with me and changes my everyday point of view.”��

Additionally, Noble acknowledges her mother, Cristy Walker, as a crucial influence in her life.����

“My mother has always encouraged me to pursue a challenging career path. She supported me throughout my undergraduate journey, celebrating my successes and guiding me through the difficult times. She continually pushes me to strive for excellence and to never settle for less than my best. I truly would not have made it to where I am today without her support,” Noble said. “Having such remarkable and inspiring women in my life has been an incredible blessing.”��

As an advocate for future engineers, Noble actively participates in organizations like the North American Young Generation in Nuclear and Women in Nuclear. She aims to inspire the next generation of female engineers by sharing her journey and highlighting the fulfilling opportunities within the field.��

“To young women considering a career in engineering, I encourage you to go for it! It takes a lot of perseverance, self-confidence and willpower, but if you have a drive for problem-solving and enjoy developing innovative solutions, engineering can be an incredibly rewarding path where you can make a difference in the world.”��

This Women’s History Month let’s celebrate Haley Noble and all the women supporting the River Bend team and paving the way for future generations.��

A can-do spirit was in the air last week as 10 teams from Entergy Nuclear headquarters in Jackson, Mississippi took on the task of constructing canned-good creations for a worthy cause.

Teams in the CANstruction competition built canned food sculptures that were ultimately donated to three Jackson-area recipients—the Mississippi Food Network, We Will Go ministries and North Jackson Elementary, Entergy Nuclear’s adopted school.

“It started when someone mentioned that there were so many requests for food donations throughout the year that there needs to be one concerted effort,” said Earnestine Johnson, Entergy senior lead engineer and event organizer. “I happened to mention CANstruction.”

Since 1992, CANstruction events have raised millions of pounds of canned goods for food banks in participating cities around the world.

From Entergy’s project alone, families and individuals across Mississippi will receive more than 10,000 cans of food in time for the holiday season. Mississippi Food Network distributes more than 20.4 million meals each year across 56 central counties. The cans will be distributed via 430 agencies including food pantries, soup kitchens and daycare centers.

We Will Go, a Jackson-based ministry, will use the canned goods to help feed the 20,000 individuals the ministry serves each year. Children and older adults comprise 64 percent of those receiving spiritual and physical support.

“Entergy employees have volunteered at both the MFN and We Will Go ministries, and we’ve seen what they do for the community,” said Joe Pennington, Entergy quality assurance senior manager. “I appreciate working for a company that encourages us to give back to the community through volunteer events such as this.”

Entergy Nuclear’s adopted school, North Jackson Elementary, is another beneficiary of the company’s generous spirit and ongoing volunteer support.

Noting the power of this partnership in helping her students, first-grade teacher Regina Carpenter said, “Not only are we building impressive structures, we’re also building hope and support for those in need. We’re grateful for Entergy’s dedication to making a meaningful impact and for inspiring others to join in creating positive change.”

To acquire the canned goods, the groups were encouraged to be resourceful: They had the option to host food drives, request food donations or discounts from local stores, ask team members to pitch in extras from home or host fundraisers for the purchase amount.

Over the course of the three-day contest, each team was given six hours to build its display.

At the end of each day, a team of judges and employees viewed the creations. In all, 10 structures were on display—including a nuclear cooling tower, complete with real steam rising from its stack; an intricate mini version of the Mississippi state capitol building and a twinkly rendition of Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night.”��

Judges awarded prizes in four categories:

• First place: team OPSelicious, for “Mississippi Capitol Building”

• Second place: team We Are the Canpions, for “A Chili Starry Night”

• Third place: the Echelon Isotopes, for “R2-D2”

• Most cans: team OPSelicious, for “MS Capitol Building”
• The people’s popular choice, based on polled attendees, was used to break the tie for first, second and third places. The award was presented to the Fuel Cyclists for their creation “Food is Fuel.”��

“I honestly was in awe of these CANstruction projects,” said Sam Wells, Entergy communications specialist and event judge. “The teams put a lot of thought and work into them and it’s great knowing these canned goods will be going to help our local communities.”

This week we celebrate achievements across the nuclear energy industry and at Entergy, as we recognize the vital role nuclear professionals play in powering our communities with clean, carbon-free electricity. This is only achieved because of their relentless focus on operating our plants safely, securely and reliably.����

Our customers count on us to keep the lights on, and we do so with clean, reliable energy, 24/7, 365. Our Entergy fleet of five nuclear reactors at four sites in Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana prevents nearly 23 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in the environment each year. That is about the same as taking nearly five million passenger vehicles off the road.��

This is an exciting time to be working in nuclear. As the Nuclear ���ϳԹ��� Institute reported last year about the , from 2016 to 2020, support held steady at 45% and then jumped to nearly 60% this year. People are seeing the value of nuclear as a clean, reliable energy source, as well as a powerful economic force—driving opportunities in business, employment and volunteerism.������

In celebration of Nuclear Science Week, Entergy’s fleetwide chapters of Women in Nuclear and North American Young Generation in Nuclear will be expanding outreach, educating our customers and other stakeholders about the benefits of nuclear energy.

Engage with Entergy Nuclear on , and Entergy on or to learn more about our industry, our commitment to our customers and communities, and rewarding in this exciting and growing field.

Team reaches more than 1,500 students and families with nuclear education

Nuclear Science Week is an international, broadly observed week-long celebration to focus local, regional and international interests on all aspects of nuclear science.

During Nuclear Science Week, celebrated on the third week of October each year, Entergy’s nuclear fleet boosts outreach through hosting activities, events and plant tours in their local areas.

Entergy’s nuclear sites and headquarters participated in outreach, except for Waterford 3 Steam Electric Station, which is currently in a scheduled refueling outage.

Last year, Entergy’s Women In Nuclear chapter received the award of Most Reactive Chapter by having the highest outreach of any fleet in the nation, an award they are aiming for again this year. The week’s activities and events are described below by site.

Nuclear Headquarters

Nuclear headquarters’ WIN chapter kicked off Nuclear Science Week by visiting their local adopted school, North Jackson Elementary, to teach fourth and fifth grade classes, a total of nearly 100 students, about nuclear energy. A team of six volunteers presented a lesson about nuclear energy, taught students about the safety systems and redundancies inside nuclear reactors through an activity called candy reactors, and taught students about nuclear energy through a dance activity, in which students are split into groups and all do one move each that represents part of a structure that gets clean, carbon-free electricity to homes and businesses.

Headquarters’ chapters of WIN and North American Young Generation in Nuclear partnered for a postcard push—distributing 500 cards to send to Mississippi federal representatives that express the benefits of and advocate for nuclear power in the U.S.

On Thursday, the headquarters’ chapter of WIN partnered with their NAYGN chapter again to sponsor activities at the Mississippi Children’s Museum, located in Jackson, Miss. Eleven volunteers set up stations with a Wimshurst machine, a hand crank generator and a snap circuit set to demonstrate electricity generation, as well as a coloring station, candy reactors and an opportunity to dress out in radiation protection gear. They interacted with approximately 120 students ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade from New Hope Christian Elementary, as well as their parents and other museum attendees.

To wrap up the week, WIN hosted more than 30 Girl Scouts along with their parents at headquarters, helping the scouts to earn their nuclear patch. The day included a welcome presentation with a simple explanation of nuclear energy and seven stations with educational activities. Executive sponsors Chief Nuclear Officer Kimberly Cook-Nelson, Vice President of Nuclear Independent Oversight Dawn Sileo and Vice President of Regulatory Assurance Ron Gaston were in attendance and spoke about the importance of clean, carbon-free energy.

Arkansas Nuclear One

For Nuclear Science Week, Arkansas Nuclear One employees hosted plant tours for more than 50 students from Mountain Home High School and Valley View High School who travelled nearly three hours each to learn about Arkansas’s largest producer of green energy. The students learned the basics of nuclear energy while also learning about career opportunities at the plant.

ANO’s WIN chapter spent Monday speaking to the entire sixth��grade class at Russellville Middle School. More than 400 students learned about how nuclear energy is made, the history of and general information about the plant and the various career opportunities available there.

On Tuesday, ANO’s NAYGN chapter visited three kindergarten classes at Atkins Elementary School to read George’s ���ϳԹ��� Adventure, a book in which the main character learns about how energy diversification powers the world. They also handed out Entergy Nuclear trinkets for the kindergartners to take home.

Grand Gulf Nuclear Station

For three days during Nuclear Science week, Grand Gulf Nuclear Station employees from WIN, NAYGN and Day and Zimmerman hosted more than 200 local middle and high school students from six schools at the plant. During the plant tour, students participated in hands-on activities to learn��about different craft trades, how electricity works through a STEM activity, what a day in the life of a security officer is like, how radiation protection technicians work to keep the public and employees safe, how a chemistry technician takes samples in the plant and much more.

On Saturday, GGNS hosted Girl and Boy Scout troops and students from the Natchez Youth Council, totaling 24 students, as well as their families. The students participated in STEM activities such as volcano lemons, rain clouds in a jar, lava lamps in a bottle, dancing popcorn and built structures through a tradesman activity to earn their nuclear patch and learn about nuclear energy.

River Bend Station

River Bend Station hosted their third annual STEM fair for Nuclear Science Week, hosting 208 students from Bains Elementary School as well as 12 parents. The fifth graders participated in different activities, including snap circuits and candy reactors, focused on the benefits of clean, reliable and sustainable nuclear energy. The fifth graders also spent time in the control room simulator. As always, the buttons were very tempting, but they learned about what it takes to become a nuclear operator.

River Bend Station also celebrated Nuclear Science Week at the annual West Feliciana Trunk or Treat, with more than 350 community members in attendance. During the event, community members participated in activities showcasing the benefits of nuclear power and enjoyed sweet treats. One of the sweet treats handed out during the trunk or treat was a gummy bear, which is equivalent to the size of a uranium pellet. They walked away learning that one��of our gummy bears (uranium pellets) is equal to one ton of coal, 17,000 cubic feet of natural gas and three barrels of oil.

Inspiring the next generation of nuclear professionals

Congratulations to the Entergy Nuclear fleet for another successful Nuclear Science Week and thank you to everyone who attended and participated in the activities!

For more information about Entergy Nuclear, follow us on Twitter at @EntergyNuclear or visit our website .

This month, Maxwell celebrated 40 years at River Bend and has held various roles with the company while impacting the local community. “When I first started working, River Bend was still in construction,” said Maxwell, who was supporting the startup and test department as an administrative specialist.����

“Seeing all of the buildings under construction is a memory that I will never forget,” said Maxwell. She remembers thinking how incredible it was to see something so significant constructed in her small town. “For example, the training center was the second building in St. Francisville that had an elevator.” One of her top memories of the construction phase was watching the dome placed on the plant’s reactor. “I remember my family and I standing up on the hill behind a 6-feet chain link fence watching the whole process.”

Out of all the roles she has held, the most beneficial one was her work supporting the community. “I first started working with Women in Nuclear to do my part in making a difference within the community,” said Maxwell. Over the years, Maxwell served as chapter president and vice president for WIN’s River Bend chapter.

Organizations such as North American Young Generation in Nuclear and WIN have chapters at River Bend, each playing a beneficial role in community involvement as we strive to become the premier utility. Maxwell has been heavily involved in community projects with both organizations. “Anywhere from Dress for Success to reading to local elementary schools to educate the children about benefits of carbon-free nuclear power, I have been able to participate and help organize ways the site can show its positive impact on the community.”

When asked about her favorite organization to support, she proudly said the “Capital Area United Way.” Maxwell leads the campaign for the site, coordinates the United Way auction week and organizes River Bend’s team for the United Way’s Jambalaya Jam. “Working with United Way is very rewarding. The organization provides an enormous amount of support for the community we operate in and for our neighbors.” Over the years, she has invested a tremendous amount of work with the United Way and toured several of its agencies.��

Maxwell is local to the community and making a difference in her neighborhood is a top priority. “Just this year, we were able to build a playground for Rosenwald Elementary School and improve the drone program at West Feliciana High School. I believe my coworkers are making a huge impact in the community, and I am proud to be a part of the Entergy team.” She is also chair of the River Bend Employee Club, an organization that sponsors local youth teams and events. The employee club supports students in the local and surrounding parishes.��

Entergy’s River Bend Station, located in St. Francisville, La., is a BWR 6 with General Electric turbines and mechanical draft cooling towers. The station began commercial operation on June 16, 1986 and will celebrate 35 years of safe and reliable operations this June. At 974 megawatts, River Bend produces approximately 10 percent of the total energy demand of Louisiana. The station boasts a team of more than 870 highly trained and dedicated nuclear professionals, committed to their plant and their communities. You can follow Entergy’s nuclear fleet on Twitter @EntergyNuclear.

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The Entergy Nuclear Employee Spotlight recognizes team members exhibiting a safe working culture, passion for teamwork, an always learning attitude, upholding integrity, and being respectful.��

“The most important aspect of teamwork is to treat everyone with dignity and respect. When people feel valued, that makes them more willing to participate,” said Smith.

Smith’s enthusiasm led her to become the Grand Gulf chapter president of North American Young Generation in Nuclear. The organization, referred to as NAYGN, helps develop future leaders in the nuclear industry. It equips the young generation of nuclear enthusiasts with leadership training, creates connections, engages and informs the public on the nuclear industry and inspires today’s nuclear technology professionals to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Smith organizes and leads NAYGN volunteers to participate in various events such as supporting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at schools and community service projects.����

“NAGYN members have become a cohesive group where we share ideas, help the community and develop our skills as nuclear professionals,” added Smith.��

She joined Entergy in December 2016 as a contractor, then as an employee in September 2017. In her current role, she supports the engineering department.��

“I review engineer documents, prepare meeting agendas, track budgets, do records keeping and any other work needed to support the department,” explained Smith.��

Smith cites several mentors at Grand Gulf who have been examples of teamwork, including��Bob Franssen,��Grand Gulf site vice president,��and��Greg Hawkins,��who recently retired as the regulatory assurance and performance improvement director.��Her supervisor, Michael (Brandon) Taylor, design engineering manager,��“understands everybody has strengths and weaknesses. He sees professional development opportunities. That makes us a stronger organization,” said Smith.

“Elizabeth is a key member of the design engineering team. She ensures that we recognize team members for their accomplishments, which fosters a culture of appreciation and motivation,” Taylor said.

Upon starting her career at Grand Gulf, the nuclear industry and the concept of teamwork came naturally to Smith. She was part of a big family – five sisters and three brothers.��

“I’m number five among my siblings. To achieve anything with excellence, you have to be able to work with other people. If not, only one person carries the weight. Being part of a large family taught me that,” she added.����

Smith grew up in the world of nuclear power, as her father served in the nuclear navy and eventually became the senior Nuclear Regulatory Commission resident inspector at Grand Gulf until 2014.��That’s what brought the family to Mississippi. Now, Smith has made Vicksburg, Mississippi here home.

“I knew of the importance of nuclear as a baseload energy source and a safe form of producing power,” she said. “Yet, I’m always learning. As part of my development plan, I recently audited a systems’ training class to gain more knowledge and understanding on how power plants work.”

Photo: The NAYGN team includes, left to right, Elizabeth Smith, Linda Davis, Tasha Parker and Alexander Roaldsand.